Kiln apparatus



Feb. 20, 1934. J, 1 scHMlDT 1,947,496

KILN- APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet l "'Q'U-'m f-"w Tlf-UIT@- A 'J Feb. 20, 1934. J, 1 SCHMlDT A 1,947,496

KILN APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY -Feh 20, 1934. 1 1 SCHMlDT 1,947,496

KILN APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 :FLE- l: E a j' s L g/g j l `1l l I l j g "344 l 4a 2g;

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Filed July 26, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 20, 1934. J. J. SCHMIDT 1,947,496

KILN APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. 506W (ju QSVg/vwf/ J BY dri* ATTORNEY;

Feb. 20, 1934.

J. J. SCHMIDT KILN APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1950 ooo ooo

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

TTORNE);

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KILN APPARATUS John J. Schmidt, Frederick, Md., assignor to My invention relates The Frederick Iron & Steel Company,

Frederick, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application July 26, 1930. Serial No. 470,975

9 Claims.

broadly to methods of ring brick or other ceramic material and more particularly to an automatic ring method of burning brick or other c eramic material.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a method for automatically firing groups of chambers in a kiln.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system for automatically and progressively ring groups of chambers in a continuous kiln.

Still another object of vide automatic means for matically firing groups my invention is to proprogressively and autoof chambers in a continuous kiln while adjacent groups of chambers are permitted to cool in preparation for rering, the supply of fuel being regulated automatically.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for attachment t o a continuous kiln for automatically feeding fuel to the several combustion chambers of a'continuous kiln and establishing a predetermined undraft and sidedraft for the burning of f ing selected groups of tinuous kiln.

A still further object uel in suspension for flrchambers in the conof my invention is to provide a method and apparatus for firing kilns for rendering the operati pensive than has hereto methods of hand firing.

Another object of my on of such kilns less ex- -fore been possible with invention is to provide automatic fuel feeding means for kilns by which coal may be burned in suspension and thereby decrease the cost of fuel consumption in kilns.

Still another object of my' invention is to provide an arrangement of updraft tuyre for kilns adapted to cooperate with a forced draft established in selected combustion chambers of the kiln for the burning of fuel in suspension and automatically ring groups of chambers in the kiln.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of automatic fuel feeding mechanism for continuous kilns and in the method of ring in the specification herei erence to the accompany the kiln as set forth more fully nafter following by refing drawings, in which:

larged elevational View and illustrated in crosspartially broken away section showing one of the combustion chambers in the continuous kiln and showing the arrangement of fuel feeding mechanism with respect thereto; Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the combustion chamber shown in Fig. 4'but illustrating the fuel feeding mechanism raised from fuel feeding position over Y the combustion chamber preparatory to transfer to another combustion chamber along the continuous kiln; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the fuel feeding mechanism in position over one of the combustion chamber for creating forced draft;

Fig. 8 is a View of a modified form of the removable tuyre partially broken away and shown in cross-section; Fig. 9 is a View partially broken awayand shown in cross-section of a further modified 'form of removable tuyre which may be installed in each of the combustion chambers ,of the kiln in accordance with the principles of my invention; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary View illustrating a modified construction of apparatus lfor creating an updraft through tuyre boxes in groups of the combustion chambers of the continuous kiln; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through the kiln showing a modified arrangement of the fuel feeding mechanism; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the fuel feeding mechanism shown in Fig. 11 with parts shown in sec- ..tion; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary View on line 13-13 of Figf14 showing the arrangement of forced draft -control valves for the fuel feeding mechanism of Figs.-11 and 12; Fig. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on line 14-14 of Fig. 13; Y

my invention thecontinuous kiln has been shown K arranged vfor the automatic firingr of brick. While Y' I haveillustrated the fuel feeding mechanism of my invention particularly adapted for the firing of groups of combustion chambers in a continuous brickkiln, I desire that it be understood that the principles of` my invention may be applied to kilns employed for-firing other ceramic materials.

Heretofore -in the art the human element has been depended upon for supplying fuel from time to time to-.thecombustion chambers of the continuous kiln. It has been necessary to hand fire the combustion chambers and to hand fire the chambers from ring holes disposed lengthwise and crosswise in the kiln. Heretofore the combustion Vchambers built in the doorways of the Y chambers.

firing furnace have employed no grates, the re being built on the floor of the doorway. When the kiln compartment has been lled with bricks to be red the doorway to the combustion chamber is built up and lclosed by masonry. After the firing of the bricks has been completed this doorway is again opened and through it the bricks which have been heat treated are removed. The hand firing is accomplished through a small door in the doorway. The operator sights through a small opening in the doorway to the combustion chamber in an effort to learn the condition of the fire and then shovels in charges of coal to maintain the re within the combustion chamber. Prior methods reduire that lump coal be used. This lump coal is relatively expensive andV it has been one of the objects of my invention tojl provide a method of burning coal and slack in the lkiln which may be obtained as waste from lump coal. The loss of heat -which is occasioned in the old methods of firing a continuous kiln is one of the great disadvantages of thermanually fired kiln. Heretofore, each time thedoor of the combustion chamber has been opened it has resulted in Va cooling of the kiln resulting in incomplete combustion and a lowering of the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the combustion'chamber. This results in the lowering of temperature throughout the entire area rof the kiln. Obviously the subsequent charges to the combustion chambers with the accompanying cooling of the furnace chamber whenever the chamber is charged, reduire a larger amount of fuel to compensate for temperature losses and incomplete combustion. Y Aconsiderable saving in fuel combustion is obtained in the system of my invention by the burning of inexpensive 'coal and slack in suspension in a manner where'it is unnecessary to expose the combustion chamber to the opening and closing of a fuel feeding door with the accompanying inrush of cold air. Furthermore the combustion-becomes much more uniform asthe coal is slowly and continuously, or in some instances intermittently, fed into the hot fire within the combustion chamber by automatic means. The volatile matter in the coal is driven off either partially or completely and then the partially burned coal dropped to a fuel bed which is supplied with forceddraft and combustion completed. As the fuel is burned in suspension a hot gas is produced which circulates around the brick in the kiln subjectingthe brick to the required firing4 action. Y.

VIn a continuous kiln groups. of combustion chambers are fired simultaneously. I provide automatic fuel feeding mechanism adapted to.

automatically inject coal adjacent the side of the combustion chamber under pressure. Simultaneously air is introduced under pressure Vadjacent the base of the combustion chamberV and the fuel burned in suspension between the points of introduction thereof and the several combustion The fuel feeding mechanism and air injecting tuyres are adapted to be shifted in position from one group of combustion chambers to an adjacent group of combustion chambers along the continuous kiln. Several groups of combustion chambers may be fired simultaneously at spaced intervals alongthe kiln. Provision is made for raising the automatic fuel feeding mechanism out of connection with combustion chambers in which firing has been completed and moving the fuel feeding mechanism to other groups of combustion chambers for Aagain starting a firing procand method of operation of the iring operation of my invention rather than limiting the particular manner in which the invention may be carried out. Referring to the drawings in detail, reference characters l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 represent combustion chambers along one side of a continuous kiln. ueference characters 9, 1G, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 represent combustion chambers along the opposite side of the continuous kiln. Rails 17 and. it are positioned along the top of the kiln along which the fuel cars 19 and 20 move. The kiln is shown having a roof 22 extending thereover and ksupported by suitable columns indicated at 21.

An* I beam 23 is suspended from the roof structure 22 over the combustion chambers for effect-Y ing a transfer or shift of the fuel feeding mechanisin from one position to another along the cointti.

lill) bustion chambers.r TheY fuel feeding mechanism comprises a fuel receiving hopper and a conveyor for advancing the fuel into the combustion chambers. Groups of four combustion chambers can be automatically firedv simultaneously in the system of my invention. As'represented in Fig. l, the fuel feeding hoppers are designated at 24, 25, '26 and 27 on one side of the kiln located over combustion chambers 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. At the oppositeY side of the kiln fuel feeding hoppers 36, 37, 38 and 39 are provided over combustion chambers 16,l 15, 14 and 13 respectively. Each fuel feeding apparatus includes a driving motor and a fan'blower for creating a draft for 'forcing coal into the combustion chamber from an elevated position. A fuel conveying conduit Zecextends beneath hopper 24 in which the screw conveyor 49 is operated by gear connection with driving motor 16. The conduit Zllcvterminates in a downwardly directed hood ti8 closed by cover 48a. A fan 47 driven by geared connection with motor 46 creates a draft tending to support coml bustion of the particles of coal which are fed from the hopper 24 to the position indicated at 65 in Fig. 3. The gases created by the combustion in the combustion chambers are `directed against the brick 53 located interiorly of the kiln within the chamber 4.5 subjecting the brick to firing action. Each combustion chamber is provided with a port 50 with which the hood 48 is adapted to register during the firing process. The block and tackle 24a is utilized for the purpose of shifting the hopper from one combustion chamber to another along the kiln. As illustrated in 3 and 4 the fuel feeding mechanism has been lowered into position with respect to the aperture 50 of the combustion chamber. l,

In Fig. 5, the fuel feeding mechanism has been raised from Yconnection with the combustion chamber l, which action simultaneously disconnects the conduit 55 from the riser 23 at the The damper 66 is disannular connection 54. posed in the conduit 55 for controlling the velocity of flow of the air which is forced through riser 28 into the conduit 28a leading 'to the tuyre box `5.2. Conduite and risers which are connected by joints 28h are provided adjacent each set of comviin bustion chambers as shown in Figs. 1 and- 2 at 28, 2e, so, a1, 32,33, 34, 35,40,f1142,43,67, 68, 69 and 70. It is therefore only necessary .t o. releas e the conduit from the upper end ofthe riser when transfering a hopper from one combustion chamber to another. f

The connection with the `upper end oftheriser 2S is automatically establishedwhen the elbow 54 of conduit 55 is lowered into position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The hoppers vare eachiprovided with a chute as v,has been represented. k at 24h, 25h, 26h and 27h for directing the c oal from the charging car into the severalhoppers, In Fig. 8 I have shown aV modified f orrnof tuyre box indicated at 5 6 where a yconicalplate 57 is provided for the banking of thellel within the combustion chamber. Asillustrate'd in Fig. 9, the tuyre `box may be'constructed vof greater depth as shown at58, withthe fuel plate 59 disposed in a conicalV position directed downwardly, apertures being provided in the plate 59 for the passage of forced draft through the plate.

Instead of obtaining,4 the draft for the tuyle boxes from the individual fans onthe fuel feeders, I may provide a central fan 61 as `slrovvnnin Fig. lo and supply forced Adraft through con duit to each of the -combustion chambers by means of risers 63 leading to tuyre boxes represented at 62 and each havinginlet ports 62a in the bottom thereof.` In this instancedraft is regulated by dampers 64 mounted in the risers In Figs. 11-15, I have illustrated the modied form of fuel feeding mechanism. In this arrangement the fuel hopper 24 is supportedby block and tackle 24a and may be .rockeddlateb ally to align and engage fuel feeding tube 24e with the aperture leading to the combustion chamber and align and engage the ends of c011- duit 55 through coupling 55a, the fuelhopper being thereafter allowed to rest upona movable platform 71 operative on rail 7 2 extending around the continuous kiln.. An apertlllis provided through the front wall of` each combustion chamber, which aperture is lined withre brick as indicated at 73. 'Ihe fuel deliveryA portion 24o of the stoker projectsthrough collar 77 to a position Within the wall of the combustion chamber in alignment with the tuyre box 75. Tuyre box 75 is shaped to conformv with the interior walls of the aperture through the combustion chamber and conforms with the. re brick lining 73. The upper surface of the tuyre box is apertured as represented at 74 fof the passage of forced draft delivered through Apipe line 76 from tap 79 in the air conduit 55. Corlduit 55 connects with the riser 28 which connects through angle 28a withthe lower `tuyre box 52 as hereinbefore described. Ak connection 55a may be made between the forced draft mechanism and theriser at each of the combustion chambers. A valve 78 is positioned in the air line 76 whereby flow of air into the tuyre box may be controlled. The spiral conveyor 49 advances the coal delivered from hopper 24 to a position on plate 74 of tuyre box 75 Where the fuel is heated by the combustion at within the combustion chamber. The volatile gases are driven off thereby serving to assist in sustaining combustion within the combustion chamber. The forced draft for both the tuyre box and the tuyre box 52 is supplied from the common means which drives the spiral conveyor 49 for the coal. rIhe amount of draft may be accurately regulated by manual control of n. dented t0 means along tion chambers to another.

ecfqjs inseiective degrees. The chut 24p en hopper 2 4 registersat each combustion f chamber with 'an extension chute Si) through which chargesof coal are directed from the car .19 fatuie top offthej 1 i 1n The process ser forth increasing the efficiency of operation of the Ifn'- .lng process by securing increases in temperature and Amore complete combustion without excessive use of fuel. h

Throughoutwall forms `of the process of my invention, I employcheap coal burned in suspensionas distinguihed from lump fuel which can be more advantageously used in other fields. Throughout the specification and drawings I have particularly described my invention as applied to continuouskilns but it will be understood that I may employ the vprinciples of my vinvention .in connection withwrectangular kilns, z circular kilns, tunnel kilns, or vother types of kilnsnsed for various purposes Whil e .I havedescrib d my invention in certain preferred embodiments and for a particular form of kiln, I desire that it be understood that ,modifications maybe made and that no limitations upOn .my invention are intendedother than are imposed. by the scope ofthe appended claims.

- What 1 ,claim as Letters Patent of lows: fr.

, 1.l In combinationwith a kiln :having a plurality of combustion chambers, arplurality of groups of automatic firing means for cooperating with selected groups of combustion chambers, each combustion chamber having fuel and air intake newand desire tosecure by the United States is as fol- ,connections and each firing means having fuel `and'air discharge connections for detachable con- ,.nection with .the intake` connections of the combustion chamb.ers, and means for progressively ,shiftingthe groups of firing means along the kiln from one group of combustion chambers to another..

2. In combination with a kiln having a plurality of combustion chambers each formed with an upper fuel inlet and having a tuyre box nearits bottom provided with an air inlet, a plurality of `groups of automatic firing means forcooperation with selected groups of combustionV chambers (each having a fuel hopper provided vwith adis- .charge adapted to be A vvthe fuel inlet of a combustion chamber and a fan releasably connected with having a housing provided vwith a discharge inletof the tuyre box ofthe combustion'chamber, and means forraising the'groups of firing means to separate the air and fuel discharges thereof from the air and fuel inlets of the. combustipnchambersand shift the groups of `firing the kiln from one group o f combusdischarge adapted to be releasably connected with the fuel inlet of a combustion chamber and a fan having a housing provided with a discharge adapted to be releasably connected with the airv inlet of the tuyre box of the combustion cham-A ber, a conveyor for moving coal through the disbe releasably connected with the vair "rizo charge of said hopper, common means for actuating the fan and conveyor to cause coal and air to be fed simultaneously through the fuel inlet and tuyre box into the combustion chamber in proportional relation to each other, and means for raising the groups of ring means to separate the air and fuel discharges thereof from the fuel and air inlets of the combustion chambers and shift the groups of ring means from one group of combustion chambers to another.

4. In combination with a kiln having a plurality of combustion chambers each formed with an upper fuel inlet and having a tuyre box near its bottom provided'with an air inlet, a plurality of groups of automatic ring means for cooperation With selected groups of combustion chambers each having a fuel hopper provided with a discharge adapted to be releasably connected With the fuel inlet of a combustion chamber 'and a fan having a housing provided With a discharge Vadapted to be releasably connected with the air inlet of the tuyre box of the combustion chamber, an air inlet being provided for admitting air to the fuel inlet to drive gases from coal into the combustion chamber, and means for elevating the groups of ring means to separate the air and fuel discharges thereof from the air and fuel inlets of the combustion chambers and shift the groups of firing means along theV kiln from one group of combustion chambers'to another.

5. In combination With a kiln having a plurality of combustion chambers each formed with an upper fuel inlet and having a tuyre box near its bottom provided with an air inlet, a plurality of groups of automatic firing means for cooperation with selected groups of combustion chambers each having a fuel hopper provided with a discharge adapted to be releasably connected with the' fuel inlet of a combustion chamber and a fan having a housing provided with a discharge adapted to be releasably connected with the air inlet of the tuyre box of the combustion chamber, tracks extending longitudinally of the kiln above the combustion chambers, and lhoisting means engaged with said hoppers and movable along said tracks for elevating the hoppers and separating the air and fuel inletsrwhereby the groups of firing means may be shifted along the tracks from one group of combustion chambers to another. 6. In combination with a kiln having a'plurality of combustion chambers each formed With an upper fuel inlet and having a tuyre box near its bottom provided with an air inlet, ay plurality of groups of automatic firing means for cooperation with selected groups of combustion chambers each having a fuel hopper provided with a discharge adapted to'be releasably connected With the fuel inlet of acombustion chamber and a fan having a housing provided Witha discharge adapted to be releasably connected with the air inlet of the tuyre box `of the combustion chamber, tracks extending longitudinally of the kiln above the combustion chambers, and hoisting means engaged with said hoppers and movable along said tracks for elevating the hoppers and separating the air and fuel inlets whereby the groups of firing means may be shifted along the tracks from one group of combustion chambers to another, other tracks extending longitudinally of said kiln below the first tracks, and supports for the hoppersand fans resting upon the last mentioned tracks and movable along the same from a position in operative relation to one group of combustion chambers to another.

7. In combination with a kiln having a plurality of combustion chambers, a portable ring and air blast mechanism comprising a fuel hopper adapted to be shifted from one combustion chamber to another progressively along thekiln, a tuyre box inserted adjacent the bottom of each combustion chamber, an air conduit extending from said tuyre box, fuel feeding means leading from the fuel hopper and adapted to establish connection with the upper portion of said combustion chamber coincident with the connection of said air blast mechanism with said air conduit, and common means for actuating said fuel feeding means and establishing a forced draft through the tuyre box to support combustion Within the combustion chamber.

8. In combination with a kiln having Ya plurality of combustion chambers, means'for introducing fuel Vat a predetermined rate in a substantially horizontal direction adjacent the upper end of selected combustion chambers, means for establishing a forced draft adjacent the bottom of each combustion chamber, common means .for actuating both of said means for feeding fuel and air to the combustion chambers at a rate whereby gasesl are driven from the fuel, means for shifting said means from one combustion chamber to another progressively alongY said kiln, a pipe'connecting the air injecting means with the fuel introducing means, and means in said pipe for controlling the amount of air delivered to the point of fuel introduction.

9. In combination Vwith a kiln having a plurality of combustion chambers each having a fuel inlet in its upper portion and a tuyre box near its bottom having an air inlet, a fuel hopper, a fan having a housing provided with an outlet, the fan housing and hopper being movable as a unit along the kiln from a position adjacent one combustion chamber to another and when in a set position having their outlets communicating with the fuel inlet of a combustion chamber and air inlet of the tuyre box thereof, and means for feeding fuel through the fuel inlet and air through the air inlet in such proportional relation to each other that a greater quantity of air is fed into the combustion chamber than required for combustion. Y

JOHN J. SCHMIDT.

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